To commemorate my time as a 32 year old, here are few things I learned over the past year. I’m breaking this down into two categories: skills and concepts. Some things you learn how to do and something you just learn.

Skill: The Proper Way to Row a Row Boat (Mostly)

Skill: Basic Poi and the Butterfly Move

Skill: Wedding Planning

Wedding planning has picked up like a snow ball rolling down hill. As soon as I decided to move the wedding to Texas, my mom and aunts got on the ball. This week I am in Texas visiting since I couldn’t come down for Christmas and they have several places for me to look at for deciding the venue. Today, I am sitting down with all the number and all the factors and making a choice. Each venue has something I love and something that’s an obstacle. ~Big Sky Lonestar

Skill: Flute (Along with Several New Songs)

Concept: How the Washington Sate Ferry System, Traffic & Infrastructure Can Impact a Seemingly Short Trip (Or Always Listen to Chris on Matters of Travel).

“We set out Friday, hoping to catch an earlier ferry than the one we’d snagged online, sailing at 7:30 p.m. However, we were sent away disappointed?—?the ferry was full and was promised to be full until our sailing time. At this point in my impatience to get the party started, I encouraged a route recalculation that took us down to another ferry to get us across. Lesson learned: don’t underestimate the ability of the ferry systems in Washington State to foil your plans. And traffic’s no picnic either.
Eight hours and 230 miles later (the trip is normally 2.5 hour and 66 miles), we made it to the Downtown Hotel in Port Angeles, Wa.” ~Road Trip: Port Angeles, Washington

Concept: The Impact of Inclement Weather on a Winter Road Trip (Or Next Time I’ll Just Fly)

“We were supposed to be driving to Texas today. Alas, Snowpocolypse 2008 has thwarted our plans. The trip would be possible, but it would probably be twice as long, and three times as arduous.” ~Home for the Holidays

Concept: The Power of Prayer

“It began about three weeks ago, when Johnny Ray went to his primary care doctor about a swollen lymph gland. His doctor referred him to an ear, nose and throat specialist who took a fluid sample from the gland and determined there were squamous cancer cells (not lymphoma) which based on his medical experience meant they originated from an organ above the neck.” ~Request for Prayers and Healing Thoughts

“Johnny Ray and my mother have both received wide-spread support and love from their community, friends and family. It has been a hard way to discover such amazing love; however, they are truly grateful and feel blessed by this outpouring of hope and caring. We are so happy Johnny Ray is done with treatment and after this first post-treatment appointment the doctor was very encouraged with the way JR looks and feels. The tumor in his lymph node is gone. We have nothing but hope as he begins to feel better. ” ~ Ring the Bell: A Journey Through Radiation Treatment

Concept: Commitment & Its Impact on a Relationship
Chris and I both agreed that we felt the same, but different, after we got married. And so far (3 months in) we still feel this way. We’d already made the commitment to each other when we agreed to marry, but after making our vows in front of family and friends we felt more at peace and solid. Chris also said he had an unexpected feeling of pride in being my husband. And I’d agree, I never thought it would matter that much, but it is a sweet feeling to call him husband.

Concept: The Love of Family & Friends
I can’t say I didn’t exactly know I was loved, but the love of my family and friends over the past year has been tremendous. In fact, I am still writing thank you notes to express how much I appreciate all the love. I have been so blessed, marrying a man who fills my days with joy, spending quality time with my best friends, and having so many people pitch and attend our wedding day. It has been the most amazing learning experience of all.